Pittman's Career Likely Over Amid Legal Problems

October 29, 1997|By ALAN SCHMADTKE Tallahassee Bureau

TALLAHASSEE — It's looking more and more as if Julian Pittman will never play again for Florida State, but FSU's defensive lineman is practicing _ and is nearly done serving a jail sentence for last month's plea bargain.

Pittman pleaded no contest to burglary of an occupied dwelling and was sentenced to 30 days in jail, 200 hours of community service, five years' probation and a midnight curfew.

He did not have to start serving jail time until he graduated from FSU or was dismissed from school, but Pittman decided to begin his sentence. He was due to report to jail Tuesday night after FSU's practice for Saturday's home game with North Carolina State. Pittman has spent 22 nights in jail.

Because he reported on time and was a model prisoner, Pittman might have his sentence shortened by a week, said Erika Esan, Pittman's attorney.

Florida State coach Bobby Bowden has not heard from university officials about Pittman's status.

Pittman was suspended from school for one semester. His appeal of that suspension is under consideration.

Cottrell injures himself

Punter Keith Cottrell came out of the training room Tuesday sporting ice bags on his shins, but he doesn't have shin splints. Cottrell was trying to trim his mouthpiece with his pocket knife before practice, and while bending over he sliced across his legs. . . . Three key players missed practice, two with the flu (tailback Davy Ford and fullback Khalid Abdullah. Tackle Ross Brannon sat out with a sprained right ankle. Jerry Carmichael worked in his place. Center Kevin Long (neck) and linebacker Daryl Bush (hamstring) were held out of practice. Backup linebacker Demetro Stephens will have his right hand X-rayed today for a possible break. Other injuries: Defensive end Roland Seymour (right ankle sprain). . . . For what it's worth: The Seminoles jumped one spot to No. 3 in The New York Times computer poll when Auburn fell from third to fifth. FSU trails one-loss No. 1 Tennessee and No. 2 Nebraska.